HAMMOND VS. DRUMS

Bootcut are a music duo, consisting of Rikard Sjoblom of Beardfish fame on keyboards and drummer Peter Diamant, also an original member of Beardfish.They've been around since 2000, even before the formation of Beardfish, always a very active live project, and recorded an album in 2002, which eventually saw the light in 2005 on the US label Gadfly.The title was ''Hammond vs drums''...

...and the title says it all.This is a constant battle between Sjoblom's Hammond organ and Diamant powerful drumming all the way, exploring a variety of styles, but do not expect some abstract jamming.These are well-structured instrumental compositions with plenty of solos with the duo stepping from one music style to another in a blink of an eye.There are plenty of Funk/Jazz pieces with some pleasant organ leading the way along with groovy drum parts, while the solos are always in the menu.But there are also numerous Fusion and Classical beats to be found in here with strong links to the styles of KEITH EMERSON and BRIAN AUGER, while Diamant's drumming turns into a jazzy delivery to this point.And while a couple of instruments seem hard enough to fully catch the listener's attention, Sjoblom and Diamant achieve to perform constanly in furious grooves and mid- to fast tempos, thus making ''Hammond vs drums'' an album full of intensity, energy and positive sounds.

Reaching this work, I thought I would get bored before the album got to its end.But these guys made the impossible possible.Fiery, dynamic and powerful combination of Prog, Fusion, Jazz and Funk by an album ready to fullfill the dreams of all lovers of vintage organ sounds.Strongly recommended (unless Hammond organ is not your thing)...3.5 stars.